Early 1900’s in North America

Life in the 1900's was depressing and was an era filled with

extremely hard and strenous work that didn't offer any future for the

average canadian in doing better. If you were an average wage earner

you would be virtually stuck in the same job for the rest of your

life, while rich maintained their wealth mainly caused by the low

taxes. Living conditions were poor for average canadians and even

worse for the arriving immigrants. At this time some of the modern

convienences were just being invented and even if it were for sale

only the extremely rich had the option of purchasing the items. Sports

being very new, in the aspect of it being organized was small time

compared to present day.

Travelling required time and was uncomfortable. Only the rich could

have the luxurious accomadations for those long journeys. Many jobs

were available to most people but you were under constant scrutiny

while working and would have to be willing to do any thing the boss

wanted. I believe my friends and I would most likely resent and

despise it if we had to live in the 1900's.

During the 1900's horses played a significant role in the everyday

life. A horse drawn carriage would bring a docter to the house of

where a baby would be born. A hearse was pulled by horses to the

cemetery when somebody died. Farmers used them to pull their ploughs

while town dwellers kept them for transportation around town. Horses

puled delivery wagons for businesses such as bakery, dairy, and coal

company. Horses pulled fire engines through the streets in a fire

emergency.

The bicycle was widely accepted by canadians because of its easy

maintence compared to a horse. The bike allowed an option of

transportation. The bicycle also gave a sense of freedom to virtually

anybody willing to learn.

Henry Ford revolutionized the world we live in by inventing the

"horseless carriage", if it had not been for him, instead of taking

the GO bus in the morning we'd be riding a horse named Wanda. Not only

did his invention offer a method of transportation to the public, but

it helped with our emergency services such as fire engines, police

cars, and ambulances. Now we have a large variety of cars to choose

from varying in size and price. He also brought a large profitable

industry to North America...The car industry. Back then there weren't

many problems that they created. Today, we have our deteriorating

ozone layer, poisonous chemicals that come from exhaust fumes

(CO2)(Carbon Monoxide). Not to mention the traffic accidents, parking

problems and traffic jams in downtown Toronto.

11 years previous to WW I Orville and Wilbur Wright made a successful

flight in the first airplane at the beach of Kitty Hawk, North

Carolina. Although the flight only lasted 12 seconds it would change

the way we see the world.

The telephone allowed the houseneeds to be satisfied without leaving

they're homes. Women received an oppurtunity to work as a a switch

board operator.

I don't know if I can stress the importance of Marconi's invention

enough.